Key Concepts & Frameworks
1. Haute Couture vs. Prêt-à-Porter
Haute couture: custom-made, hand-sewn, one-of-a-kind garments from Parisian houses (Chanel, Dior, Givenchy). Prêt-à-porter: ready-to-wear, standardized sizes, runway-to-retail model. Demi-couture bridges the gap.
Haute couture: custom-made, hand-sewn, one-of-a-kind garments from Parisian houses (Chanel, Dior, Givenchy). Prêt-à-porter: ready-to-wear, standardized sizes, runway-to-retail model. Demi-couture bridges the gap.
2. The Fashion Cycle
Trends follow a predictable curve: introduction (innovators) → rise (early adopters) → peak (mass market) → decline (laggards) → obsolescence. Five stages drive retail planning and inventory management.
Trends follow a predictable curve: introduction (innovators) → rise (early adopters) → peak (mass market) → decline (laggards) → obsolescence. Five stages drive retail planning and inventory management.
3. Color Theory in Fashion
Seasonal color forecasting (Pantone Color of the Year). Color psychology: black (power), white (purity), red (passion). Capsule wardrobes built around complementary and analogous color schemes.
Seasonal color forecasting (Pantone Color of the Year). Color psychology: black (power), white (purity), red (passion). Capsule wardrobes built around complementary and analogous color schemes.
4. Sustainable Fashion
The industry produces 10% of global carbon emissions and 92 million tonnes of waste annually. Solutions: circular economy (rental, resale, repair), organic materials, slow fashion, blockchain transparency, and deadstock utilization.
The industry produces 10% of global carbon emissions and 92 million tonnes of waste annually. Solutions: circular economy (rental, resale, repair), organic materials, slow fashion, blockchain transparency, and deadstock utilization.
5. Cultural Appropriation vs. Appreciation
Appreciation: respectful engagement with credit and understanding. Appropriation: taking marginalized cultural symbols without context, compensation, or respect. Example: Native American headdresses as festival wear vs. traditional Chinese silk in high fashion with cultural consultation.
Appreciation: respectful engagement with credit and understanding. Appropriation: taking marginalized cultural symbols without context, compensation, or respect. Example: Native American headdresses as festival wear vs. traditional Chinese silk in high fashion with cultural consultation.
Core Definitions
Silhouette: The overall shape or outline of a garment or ensemble. Key silhouettes: A-line, sheath, empire, mermaid, shift, trapeze. Defines the proportions and visual impact of a design.
Lookbook: A curated collection of photographs showcasing a designer's seasonal collection. Used for press, buyers, and marketing. The narrative and styling communicate the brand's aesthetic vision.
Mood Board: A collage of images, fabrics, colors, and textures that communicates the design direction. The first step in the creative process — translates abstract inspiration into tangible design concepts.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Building a Capsule Wardrobe
30 pieces: 5 bottoms, 10 tops, 5 outerwear, 5 shoes, 5 accessories. Neutral base (black, white, navy, beige) with accent pieces. Mix-and-match formula: 5 × 10 × 5 = 250+ outfits from 30 pieces.
30 pieces: 5 bottoms, 10 tops, 5 outerwear, 5 shoes, 5 accessories. Neutral base (black, white, navy, beige) with accent pieces. Mix-and-match formula: 5 × 10 × 5 = 250+ outfits from 30 pieces.
Example 2: Color Analysis
Spring palette (warm, light, bright): coral, peach, turquoise, camel. Customer with warm undertones, medium contrast. Avoid: black (too harsh), cool grays. Optimal: ivory, warm browns, golden yellows.
Spring palette (warm, light, bright): coral, peach, turquoise, camel. Customer with warm undertones, medium contrast. Avoid: black (too harsh), cool grays. Optimal: ivory, warm browns, golden yellows.
Example 3: Sustainable Fashion Business Model
Patagonia's "Worn Wear": repair, reuse, resell, recycle. Revenue: $100M+ from used garments. Customer loyalty through values alignment. Environmental impact: extends garment life 2-3×, reducing per-wear footprint 40%.
Patagonia's "Worn Wear": repair, reuse, resell, recycle. Revenue: $100M+ from used garments. Customer loyalty through values alignment. Environmental impact: extends garment life 2-3×, reducing per-wear footprint 40%.
Practice Problems
Problem 1: What is the difference between haute couture and prêt-à-porter?
Answer: Haute couture: custom-fitted, hand-crafted, made-to-order, extraordinarily expensive. Prêt-à-porter: ready-to-wear, mass-produced in standard sizes, accessible pricing. Haute couture is art; prêt-à-porter is commerce.
Answer: Haute couture: custom-fitted, hand-crafted, made-to-order, extraordinarily expensive. Prêt-à-porter: ready-to-wear, mass-produced in standard sizes, accessible pricing. Haute couture is art; prêt-à-porter is commerce.
Problem 2: Name five key fashion silhouettes.
Answer: A-line, sheath/column, empire, mermaid/trumpet, shift/trapeze, ball gown, blouson, peplum, cocoon, column.
Answer: A-line, sheath/column, empire, mermaid/trumpet, shift/trapeze, ball gown, blouson, peplum, cocoon, column.
Problem 3: What are three strategies for sustainable fashion?
Answer: (1) Circular models: rental, resale, repair. (2) Material innovation: organic cotton, Tencel, recycled polyester, mushroom leather. (3) Slow fashion: timeless design, quality construction, local production, fair labor.
Answer: (1) Circular models: rental, resale, repair. (2) Material innovation: organic cotton, Tencel, recycled polyester, mushroom leather. (3) Slow fashion: timeless design, quality construction, local production, fair labor.
Problem 4: What is the difference between draping and flat pattern making?
Answer: Draping: fabric manipulated on a 3D dress form — sculptural, intuitive, allows seeing the garment in real-time. Flat pattern: 2D drafting on paper using measurements — precise, reproducible, ideal for production patterns.
Answer: Draping: fabric manipulated on a 3D dress form — sculptural, intuitive, allows seeing the garment in real-time. Flat pattern: 2D drafting on paper using measurements — precise, reproducible, ideal for production patterns.
Problem 5: How do fashion trends spread according to the trickle-across theory?
Answer: Trends emerge simultaneously across multiple subcultures and social groups, spreading horizontally through media and peer networks — not just from top (elite) to bottom (masses). Street style and social media accelerate this.
Answer: Trends emerge simultaneously across multiple subcultures and social groups, spreading horizontally through media and peer networks — not just from top (elite) to bottom (masses). Street style and social media accelerate this.